Sample feeding apparatus, flow cytometer, and sample feeding method

ABSTRACT

A sample feeding apparatus includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a sealing section. The first cylinder is configured to be mounted with a sample tube. The second cylinder is configured to move the first cylinder between a first position and a second position, the first position being for mounting of the sample tube, the second position being for feeding of a sample in the sample tube. The sealing section is configured to cover the sample tube, the sample tube being mounted to the first cylinder being at the second position, the first cylinder applying pressure to an inner space of the sealing section at the second position.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2012-113605 filed in the Japan Patent Office on May 17,2012, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a sample feeding apparatus, a flowcytometer, and a sample feeding method. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a sample feeding apparatus and others that feed asample to a micro-sized particle measurement apparatus.

There is known a micro-sized particle measurement apparatus, e.g., flowcytometer, that optically, electrically, or magnetically detectsproperties of micro-sized particles such as cells. The micro-sizedparticle measurement apparatus then separates and collects only themicro-sized particles having any predetermined properties.

With this micro-sized particle measurement apparatus, a sample possiblefor use is bio-related micro-sized particles exemplified by cells,microorganisms, and liposomes. As an example, see Japanese PatentApplication Laid-open No. 2010-286292. The sample as such is expectednot to adhere to the body of a user for safety, for example. There thusis expected to pay attention to handle the sample at the time of feedingto the micro-sized particle measurement apparatus using a sample feedingapparatus (or a sample feeding apparatus configured as a part of themicro-sized particle measurement apparatus).

SUMMARY

The concern here is that, at the time of feeding of the sample, aprevious sample feeding apparatus is expected to apply very strongforces to components for pressurization thereon using a cylinder.Considering the very strong forces to be applied on the components inthe apparatus as such, the user has to be careful not to get his fingerscaught in the cylinder and others, or a sample tube has to be protectedfrom damage. In order to handle the apparatus with safety, the user hasbeen expected to be technically skilled, and this has been annoying theuser. There thus has been a demand for a sample feeding apparatus thatis capable of sample feeding with safety and ease.

It is thus desirable to provide a sample feeding apparatus, a flowcytometer, and a sample feeding method with which sample feeding isperformed with safety and ease.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda sample feeding apparatus, including a first cylinder, a secondcylinder, and a sealing section. The first cylinder is configured to bemounted with a sample tube. The second cylinder is configured to movethe first cylinder between a first position and a second position, thefirst position being for mounting of the sample tube, the secondposition being for feeding of a sample in the sample tube. The sealingsection is configured to cover the sample tube, the sample tube beingmounted to the first cylinder being at the second position, the firstcylinder applying pressure to an inner space of the sealing section atthe second position.

This sample feeding apparatus may further include a third cylinder thatis configured to be mounted to support the first cylinder in a statethat the first cylinder is positioned at the second position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the third cylinder may be configuredto support the first cylinder by moving from a third position to afourth position, the third position allowing the first cylinder to movebetween the first position and the second position, the fourth positionbeing on an opposite side of the sealing section with respect to thefirst cylinder.

This sample feeding apparatus may further include a fourth cylinder thatis configured to be mounted to accommodate any of the sample remained inthe sealing section in a state that the first cylinder is positioned atthe first position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the fourth cylinder may be configuredto accommodate the sample remained in the sealing section by moving froma fifth position to a sixth position, the fifth position allowing thefirst cylinder to move between the first position and the secondposition, the sixth position being on an insertion side of the sampletube with respect to the sealing section.

In this sample feeding apparatus, each of the first cylinder, the secondcylinder, the third cylinder, and the fourth cylinder may include a flowpath that is configured to move gas for injection into the cylinder, anda valve that is configured to draw in and out the gas in the othercylinders via the flow path based on an operation of the cylinder.

This sample feeding apparatus may further include a control unit that isconfigured to inject the gas into the fourth cylinder. The fourthcylinder may include a first valve that is configured to physically openitself in response to the fourth cylinder moving from the sixth positionto the fifth position by the injection of the gas thereinto, and toallow the gas to be injected into the second cylinder to move the secondcylinder from the first position to the second position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the sealing section may be configuredto allow the injection of the gas into the inner space thereof by theopening of the first valve.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the second cylinder may include asecond valve that is configured to physically open itself to allow thegas to be injected into the third cylinder in a state that the secondcylinder is positioned at the second position, and to allow the thirdcylinder to move from the third position to the fourth position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the third cylinder may include a thirdvalve that is configured to physically open itself to allow the gas tobe injected into the first cylinder in a state that the third cylinderis positioned at the fourth position, and to allow the first cylinder toapply pressure into the sealing section at the second position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the control unit may be configured toperform the injection of the gas into the first cylinder and the thirdcylinder. The third cylinder may include a fourth valve that isconfigured to physically open itself in response to the third cylindermoving from the fourth position to the third position by the injectionof the gas thereinto, and to allow the second cylinder to move from thesecond position to the first position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, by the control unit injecting the gasinto the first cylinder, the pressure applied by the first cylinder intothe sealing section may be released.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the second cylinder may include afifth valve that is configured to physically open itself to allow thegas to be injected into the fourth cylinder in a state that the secondcylinder is positioned at the first position, and to allow the fourthcylinder to move from the fifth position to the sixth position.

In this sample feeding apparatus, the sealing section may be attachedwith a sample line that is configured to feed the sample in the sampletube to an outside.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a flow cytometer that is coupled with the sample feedingapparatus described above.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a sample feeding method for a sample feeding apparatus, themethod including: moving a first cylinder that is mounted with a sampletube at a first position to a second position at which a sealing sectioncovers over the first cylinder by using a second cylinder; and applyingpressure to an inner space of the sealing section by the first cylinder.

The sample feeding method may further include supporting, in a statethat the first cylinder is positioned at the second position, the firstcylinder by moving a third cylinder from a third position to a fourthposition, the third position allowing the first cylinder to move betweenthe first position and the second position, the fourth position being onan opposite side of the sealing section with respect to the firstcylinder.

The sample feeding method may further include using the second cylinderto move the first cylinder from the second position to the firstposition.

The sample feeding method may further include accommodating, in a statethat the first cylinder is positioned at the first position, any of thesample remained in the sealing section by moving a fourth cylinder froma fifth position to a sixth position, the fifth position allowing thefirst cylinder to move between the first position and the secondposition, the sixth position being on an insertion side of the sampletube with respect to the sealing section.

The sample feeding method may further include starting an operation ofeach of the first cylinder, the second cylinder, the third cylinder, andthe fourth cylinder in response to a gas flow via a flow path to theother cylinders by opening of a valve based on the operation of each ofthe cylinders.

In this disclosure, the “sample” is exemplified by a sample mainlyincluding micro-sized particles.

The “micro-sized particles” may widely include bio-related micro-sizedparticles such as cells, microorganisms, and liposomes, or syntheticparticles such as latex particles, gel particles, and industrialparticles.

The bio-related micro-sized particles include chromosomes found invarious types of cells, liposomes, mitochondrias, organelles, andothers. The cells include animal cells, e.g., hematopoietic cells, andplant cells. The microorganisms include bacteria such as Escherichiacoli, virus such as tobacco mosaic virus, fungi such as yeast, andothers. The bio-related micro-sized particles may also includebio-related macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, andcomposites thereof, and others. The industrial particles may includeorganic or inorganic polymeric materials, metal, and others. The organicpolymeric materials include polystyrene, styrene-divinylbenzene,polymethyl methacrylate, and others. The inorganic polymeric materialsinclude glass, silica, magnetic materials, and others. The metalincludes gold collide, aluminum, and others. These micro-sized particlesare generally spherical in shape, but may be non-spherical and notspecifically restricted in size and mass, for example.

This disclosure achieves sample feeding with safety and ease.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating the entire configuration ofa sample feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the entireconfiguration of the sample feeding apparatus according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sequential-structure diagram illustrating the entireconfiguration of the sample feeding apparatus according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, and is a schematic diagramillustrating the sequential structure of the sample feeding apparatus ina step S₁ of sample setting wait in a sample feeding method according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating the entire configuration ofthe sample feeding apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, and is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state thesample feeding apparatus is in the sample-setting-wait step S₁ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the sample feeding method accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₂ of waste tray storage in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the waste-tray-storage step S₂ in the samplefeeding method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₃ of pressure cylinder moving upin the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the pressure-cylinder-moving-up step S₃ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₄ of support arm protrusion inthe sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the support-arm-protrusion step S₄ in the samplefeeding method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₅ of sample feeding in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the sample-feeding step S₅ in the sample feedingmethod according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₆ of pressure cylinder releasein the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the pressure-cylinder-release step S₆ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₇ of pressure cylinder movingdown in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the pressure-cylinder-moving-down step S₇ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus in a step S₈ of waste tray protrusion inthe sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state the samplefeeding apparatus is in the waste-tray-protrusion step S₈ in the samplefeeding method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a suitable embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is nomore than an example of a typical embodiment of the present disclosure,and this may not narrow the scope of the present disclosure. Thedescription is given in the following order.

1. Structure of Sample Feeding Apparatus 1 according to Embodiment ofPresent Disclosure

-   -   1-1. Stirring Unit    -   1-2. Air Cylinder        -   1-2-1. Pressure Cylinder        -   1-2-2. Up-and-down Cylinder        -   1-2-3. Support Cylinder        -   1-2-4. Waste-containing Cylinder    -   1-3. Valve and Flow Path    -   1-4. Pressure Feeding Section    -   1-5. Sample Line    -   1-6. Control Unit 7, and Others

2. Sample Feeding Method according to Embodiment of Present Disclosure

-   -   2-1. Sample-setting-wait Step S₁    -   2-2. Waste-tray-storage Step S₂    -   2-3. Pressure-cylinder-moving-up Step S₃    -   2-4. Support-arm-protrusion Step S₄    -   2-5. Sample-feeding Step S₅    -   2-6. Pressure-cylinder-release Step S₆    -   2-7. Pressure-cylinder-moving-down Step S₇    -   2-8. Waste-tray-protrusion Step S₈

1. Structure of Sample Feeding Apparatus 1 According to Embodiment ofPresent Disclosure

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a samplefeeding apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The sample feeding apparatus 1 is configured as a sampleloading module. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagramillustrating the entire configuration of the sample feeding apparatus 1,and is a cross-sectional diagram cut along a line P-P of FIG. 1. FIG. 3is a sequential-structure diagram illustrating the entire configurationof the sample feeding apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is also a schematic diagramillustrating the entire configuration of the sample feeding apparatus 1according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

1-1. Stirring Unit

In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 2 denotes a stirring unit 2 that stirs asample in a sample tube 22 in place. The stirring unit 2 includes a tubeholder 21, and a base 23. The tube holder 21 houses therein the sampletube 22, and the base 23 carries thereon the tube holder 21. In additionto the tube holder 21 and the base 23, the stirring unit 2 may include amotor (not shown) that rotates the tube holder 21 to stir the sample inthe sample tube 22.

The sample tube 22 is not specifically restricted as long as the sampletube contains the sample, but is desirably exemplified by an eppendorftube or a conical tube. The motor (not shown) is exemplified by arotation device including a stepping motor, for example.

1-2. Air Cylinder

In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 3 denotes an air cylinder that allowsfeeding of the sample in the sample tube 22 to a micro-sized particlemeasurement apparatus 1 and others. For the sample feeding, the aircylinder moves upward, i.e., in the direction of an arrow F of FIG. 1(in the Z-axis positive direction), the stirring unit 2 so as to placethe sample tube 22 in a pressure feeding section 5. This air cylinder 3includes a pressure cylinder 31, and an up-and-down cylinder 32. Thepressure cylinder 31 applies pressure to the stirring unit 2 to keep thestirring unit gas-tight, and the up-and-down cylinder 32 moves up anddown the pressure cylinder 31 in the Z-axis direction. By moving thetube holder 21 in the stirring unit 2 up into the pressure feedingsection 5, the sample in the sample tube 22 may be directed to themicro-sized particle measurement apparatus, and others.

The air cylinder 3 also includes a support cylinder 33, and awaste-containing cylinder 34 (see FIG. 2). The support cylinder 33supports the pressure cylinder 31 at the time of feeding of the sample,and the waste-containing cylinder 34 accommodates any sample remained ina pressure shell 52 in the pressure feeding section 5 that will bedescribed later.

1-2-1. Pressure Cylinder

The pressure cylinder 31 of FIG. 1 is an example of a first cylinderaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The pressurecylinder 31 includes a pressure cylinder body section 311, and apressure-cylinder-use piston 312 (see FIG. 3). The pressure cylinderbody section 311 is mounted with the sample tube 22, and into thepressure cylinder body section 311, gas may be injected. Thepressure-cylinder-use piston 312 allows the pressure cylinder bodysection 311 to move by the gas injection thereinto. The pressurecylinder 31 also includes a pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 thatis coupled to the up-and-down cylinder 32 that will be described later.

1-2-2. Up-and-Down Cylinder

The up-and-down cylinder 32 of FIG. 1 is an example of a second cylinderaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The up-and-downcylinder 32 includes an up-and-down cylinder body section 321, anup-and-down-cylinder-use piston 322, and an up-and-down-cylinder-use legsection 323 (see FIG. 3). Into the up-and-down cylinder body section321, gas may be injected. The up-and-down-cylinder-use piston 322 isallowed to move by the gas injection into the up-and-down cylinder bodysection 321. The up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 is coupled tothe pressure cylinder 31. The up-and-down cylinder 32 also includes acoupling section 324 that couples together the up-and-down-cylinder-useleg section 323 and the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313.

In response to the gas injection into the up-and-down cylinder bodysection 321, both the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 and theup-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 are allowed to move between twopositions. That is, at the one position, the sample tube 22 is mountedto the pressure cylinder 31 (hereinafter, this position may be sometimesreferred to as first position P12 (see FIG. 3)), and at the otherposition, the sample tube 22 is housed in the pressure shell 52 thatwill be described later (hereinafter, this position may be sometimesreferred to as second position P22 (see FIG. 3)). That is, thepressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 and the up-and-down-cylinder-useleg section 323 are allowed to move in the Z-axis direction of FIG. 1.

1-2-3. Support Cylinder

The support cylinder 33 of FIG. 2 is an example of a third cylinderaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The supportcylinder 33 includes a support cylinder body section 331, asupport-cylinder-use piston 332, and a support arm 333 (see FIGS. 2 and3). Into the support cylinder body section 331, gas may be injected. Thesupport-cylinder-use piston 332 is allowed to move by the gas injectioninto the support cylinder body section 331. The support arm 333 maysupport the pressure cylinder 31.

When the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 in the pressure cylinder31 is positioned at the second position P21 (see FIG. 3), the supportarm 333 may support the pressure cylinder 31 by moving from one positionto the other position. The one position is between the first positionP11 (FIG. 3) and the second position P21 at which thepressure-cylinder-use leg position 313 is allowed to move (hereinafter,this position may be sometimes referred to as third position P3), andthe other position is on the opposite side of the pressure feedingsection 5 with respect to the first cylinder (hereinafter, this positionmay be sometimes referred to as fourth position P4). That is, thesupport arm 333 moves in the Y-axis positive direction of FIG. 2 tosupport the pressure cylinder 31.

With the support arm 333 supporting the pressure cylinder 31 at thefourth position P4, the pressure cylinder 31 is allowed to applypressure into the pressure shell 52.

In the pressure cylinder 33, the support arm 333 may be moved from thefourth position P4 to the third position P3 in advance before themovement of the pressure cylinder 31, i.e., the movement of thepressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 from the second position P21 tothe first position P11.

1-2-4. Waste-Containing Cylinder

The waste-containing cylinder 34 of FIG. 2 is an example of a fourthcylinder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Thewaste-containing cylinder 34 includes a waste-containing cylinder bodysection 341, a waste-cylinder-use piston 342, and a waste tray 343 (seeFIGS. 2 and 3). Into the waste-containing cylinder body section 341, gasmay be injected. The waste-cylinder-use piston 342 is allowed to move bythe gas injection into the waste-containing cylinder body section 341.The waste tray 343 may collect any sample remained in the pressure shell52 that will be described later.

When the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 in the pressure cylinder31 is positioned at the first position P11, the waste tray 343 may movefrom one position to the other position to accommodate any sampleremained in the pressure shell 52. That is, the one position is betweenthe first position P11 and the second position P21 at which the firstcylinder is allowed to move (hereinafter, this position may be sometimesreferred to as fifth position P5), and the other position is on theinsertion side of the sample tube 22 with respect to the pressure shell52 (hereinafter, this position may be sometimes referred to as sixthposition P6). Herein, the insertion side of the sample tube 22 is on theside in the Z-axis negative direction of FIG. 2.

With the waste tray 343 collecting any waste in the pressure shell 52 atthe sixth position P6, the user may make preparation with safety for thesample tube 22 in the sample feeding apparatus 1 without worrying aboutthe sample attaching to his hands and others.

In the waste-containing cylinder 34, the waste tray 343 may be movedfrom the sixth position P6 to the fifth position P5 in advance beforethe movement of the pressure cylinder 31, i.e., the movement of thepressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 from the second position P21 tothe first position P11.

1-3. Valve and Flow Path

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 40 to 46 respectively denote valves thatcontrol gas injection into the air cylinder 3, i.e., the pressurecylinder 31, the up-and-down cylinder 32, the support cylinder 33, andthe waste-containing cylinder 34.

Among these valves, the reference numeral 40 of FIG. 3 denotes anelectromagnetic valve that is under the operation control of a controlunit 7 that will be described later. Opening this electromagnetic valveallows gas to flow into the waste-containing cylinder 34, or into thepressure cylinder 31 and the support cylinder 33.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the reference numerals 41 to 45 respectively denotemechanical valves that physically open themselves based on the operationof the air cylinder 3, i.e., the pressure cylinder 31, the up-and-downcylinder 32, the support cylinder 33, and the waste-containing cylinder34. By the mechanical valves physically opening themselves, the gas inthe appropriate cylinders is drawn in and out.

The mechanical valve 41 of FIG. 3 is an example of a first valveaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The mechanicalvalve 41 is provided to the waste-containing cylinder 34. The mechanicalvalve 41 physically opens itself by the waste tray 343 moving from thesixth position P6 to the fifth position P5 in response to injection ofgas into the waste-containing cylinder body section 341 via a flow pathR1.

With the opening of the mechanical valve 41, the gas is injected intothe up-and-down cylinder body section 321 via a flow path R2 so thatboth the up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 and thepressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 are allowed to move from the firstpositions P11 and P12 to the second positions P21 and P22, respectively.

The opening of the mechanical valve 41 may also open an air-operatedvalve 46 so that gas injection is allowed into the pressure shell 52.

As will be described later, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in what statethe sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the sample-setting-wait step S₁ inthe sample feeding method. In FIG. 3, the mechanical valve 41 is notcoupled with flow paths R12 and R2 that will be described later. Thatis, in the drawing, the triangle mark is not in contact with circularmarks at the end of the flow paths. This means that the mechanical valve41 is not open, and thus the gas is not allowed to flow. This isapplicable also to other drawings. On the other hand, the mechanicalvalve 44 that will be described later is coupled with flow paths R42 andR5 that will be described later. That is, in the drawing, the trianglemark is in contact with the circular marks at the end of the flow paths.This means that the mechanical valve 44 is open, and thus the gas isallowed to flow. This is applicable also to other drawings.

The mechanical valve 42 of FIG. 3 is an example of a second valveaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The mechanicalvalve 42 is provided to the up-and-down cylinder 32. The mechanicalvalve 42 physically opens itself when the up-and-down-cylinder-use legsection 323 in the up-and-down cylinder 32 is positioned at the secondposition P22. To be specific, the mechanical valve 42 opens itself by aswitch section 421 therein being pushed by the up-and-down-cylinder-useleg section 323 (see also FIG. 9 that will be described later). Herein,the remaining mechanical valves 41, 43, 44, and 45 share substantiallythe same opening structure and function with the mechanical valve 42.Therefore, these mechanical valves 41, 43, 44, and 45 are not describedagain about their opening.

With the mechanical valve 42 opening itself, gas is injected into thesupport cylinder body section 331 via a flow path R3 so that the supportarm 333 is allowed to move from the third position P3 to the fourthposition P4.

The mechanical valve 43 of FIG. 3 is an example of a third valveaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The mechanicalvalve 43 is provided to the support cylinder 33. The mechanical valve 43physically opens itself when the support arm 333 is positioned at thefourth position P4.

With the opening of the mechanical valve 43, the gas is injected intothe pressure cylinder body section 311 via a flow path R33 so that thepressure cylinder 31 is allowed to apply pressure into the pressureshell 52 when the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 is positioned atthe second position P21.

The mechanical valve 44 of FIG. 3 is an example of a fourth valveaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The mechanicalvalve 44 is provided to the support cylinder 33. In response to gasinjection into the support cylinder body section 331 by the control unit7 via a flow path R4, the mechanical valve 43 physically opens itselfwhen the support arm 333 is positioned at the third position P3.

With the opening of the mechanical valve 44, the gas is injected intothe up-and-down cylinder body section 321 via the flow path R5 so thatthe up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 is allowed to move from thesecond position P22 to the first position P12.

The mechanical valve 45 of FIG. 3 is an example of a fifth valveaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The mechanicalvalve 45 is provided to the up-and-down cylinder 32. The mechanicalvalve 45 physically opens itself when the up-and-down-cylinder use legsection 323 is positioned at the first position P12.

With the opening of the mechanical valve 45, the gas is injected intothe waste-containing cylinder body section 341 via a flow path R6 sothat the waste tray 343 is allowed to move from the fifth position P5 tothe sixth position P6.

In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 46 denotes an air-operated valve thatopens itself to allow gas injection into the pressure shell 52. Withthis air-operated valve, sequence control is enabled by a switch portoperating in response to the pressure from a control port.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals R1, R11, R12, R2, R21, R22, R3, R31, R32,R33, R4, R41, R42, R43, R431, R432, R5, and R6 each denote a flow paththat moves gas therethrough before injection into the air cylinder 3. Adescription will be given in detail later about which flow path movesthe gas between which components when a description is given later aboutthe sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The flow paths are not specifically restricted as long asthese paths allow the gas to flow therethrough. These flow paths areexemplified by tubes and others having various diameters based on theflow velocity and others of any desired gas.

As will be described later, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in what statethe sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the sample-setting-wait step S₁ inthe sample feeding method. Among the flow paths of FIG. 3, the flow pathR5 and others indicated by solid lines show that there is a gas flowtherethrough. On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the flow paths R1, R2, andothers indicated by broken lines show that there is no gas flowtherethrough. This is applicable also to other drawings.

1-4. Pressure Feeding Section

In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 5 denotes a pressure feeding section thatfeeds the sample to a micro-sized particle measurement apparatus 100 andothers while applying pressure to the sample. The pressure feedingsection 5 is an example of a sealing section according to the embodimentof the present disclosure. The pressure feeding section 5 includes thepressure shell 52, and a nozzle 51. The pressure shell 52 is placed overthe sample tube 22 when the sample tube is moved up in the Z-axispositive direction in response to the movement of thepressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 from the first position P11 to thesecond position P21. The nozzle 51 draws the sample by suction in thesample tube 22.

The pressure application by the pressure feeding section 5 is notspecifically restricted as long as the sample in the sample tube 22 isfed thereby. The pressure feeding section 5 allows gas injection intothe pressure shell 52 via the air-operated valve 46 and a flow path R23by opening of the mechanical valve 41 (see FIG. 3).

The nozzle 51 functions as a stirring rod when stirring the sample sothat the sample is stirred with a higher efficiency.

1-5. Sample Line

In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 6 denotes a sample line 6 that directsthe sample in the sample tube 22 to the outside. This sample is the onefed with pressure application by the pressure feeding section 5described above. The sample directed to the sample line 6 is fed to themicro-sized particle measurement apparatus (flow cytometer) 100, whichis linked to the sample line 6. The sample line 6 is not specificallyrestricted, but is exemplarily configured by a silicone tube.

1-6. Control Unit, and Others

The sample feeding apparatus 1 may include the control unit 7 that mayperform gas injection into the waste-containing cylinder body section341 via the electromagnetic valve 40 and the flow path R1 (see FIG. 3).The control unit 7 may perform gas injection also into both theup-and-down cylinder body section 321 and the support cylinder bodysection 331 via the electromagnetic valve 40.

The control unit 7 may be configured by a general-purpose computerincluding a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory (storage section), ahard disk, and others. The hard disk stores an OS (Operating System), aprogram that runs to perform sample-making steps that will be describednext, and others.

The sample feeding apparatus 1 also includes an operation section forthe user to drive a data analysis section and the control unit 7, andothers. In addition thereto, the sample feeding apparatus 1 may alsoinclude a level detection sensor 8 that detects the level of the samplein the sample tube 22 (see FIG. 1). This level detection sensor 8includes a light irradiation section 81, and a light detection section82. The light irradiation section 81 is in charge of light irradiation,and the light detection section 82 detects the light coming from thelight irradiation section 81.

The sample feeding apparatus 1 may be provided with an output sectionthat warns the user when the sample remained in the sample tube 22 isreduced down to a predetermined reference value, for example. The outputsection may warn the user in various manners, including using a lamp,displaying a message and others, outputting audio, and others.

In the present disclosure, the sample feeding apparatus 1 is describedas an apparatus that feeds a sample to the micro-sized particlemeasurement apparatus (flow cytometer) 100 coupled thereto.Alternatively, the sample feeding apparatus 1 may be configured as apart of the micro-sized particle measurement apparatus 100.

2. Sample Feeding Method According to Embodiment of Present Disclosure

2-1. Sample-Setting-Wait Step S₁

Described below is a sample feeding method according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure by referring to FIGS. 3 to 19. FIGS. 3, 4, and 6to 19 are each a schematic diagram showing in what state the samplefeeding apparatus 1 is while performing the sample feeding methodaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The samplefeeding method includes procedural steps of “sample-setting-wait stepS₁”, “waste-tray-storage step S₂”, “pressure-cylinder-moving-up stepS₃”, “Support-arm-protrusion step S₄”, “sample-feeding step S₅”,“pressure-cylinder-release step S₆”, “pressure-cylinder-moving-down stepS₇”, and “waste-tray-protrusion step S₈”. FIG. 5 is a flowchartillustrating the sample feeding method according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure. In the below, the procedure steps are describedone by one.

FIG. 3 is also a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structureof the sample feeding apparatus 1 in the sample-setting-wait step S₁ inthe sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 4 is also a schematic diagram illustrating in whatstate the sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the sample-setting-wait stepS₁ in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIGS. 3 and 4 specifically are each a diagramillustrating the state in which the waste tray 343 is positioned at thesixth position P6.

First of all, in the sample-setting-wait step S₁ of FIG. 5, the samplefeeding apparatus 1 waits for a user to set the sample-containing sampletube 22 to the pressure cylinder 31. At this time, with the waste tray343 of the waste-containing cylinder 34 being at the sixth position P6,the waste tray 343 accommodates any sample remained in the pressureshell 52 so that the sample remained in the pressure shell 52 isprevented from dropping to the side of the tube holder 21, i.e., theside in the Z-axis negative direction of FIG. 4. This thus allows theuser to place the sample tube 22 to the tube holder 21 with safety andease without worrying about the sample attaching to his hands andothers.

In the sample-setting-wait step S₁, also with the waste tray 343 beingat the sixth position P6, if a cleaning agent is directed from thesample line 6 toward the waste tray 343, any sample remained in both thesample line 6 and the nozzle 51 may be removed while the cleaning agentbeing collected in the waste tray 343. This accordingly preventscontamination in the process of analysis, i.e., prevents a sample usedfor an analysis from getting in a different sample for another analysis.

2-2. Waste-tray-storage Step S₂

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the waste-tray-storage step S₂ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what state thesample feeding apparatus 1 is in the waste-tray-storage step S₂ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 6 and 7 specifically are each a diagram illustratingthe state in which the waste tray 343 is positioned at the fifthposition P5.

In the waste-tray-storage step S₂ of FIG. 5, first of all, the controlunit 7 directs the gas in the direction of an arrow A1 via theelectromagnetic valve 40 (see FIG. 6). The gas flows in the flow pathR1, and then the flow of gas is split into two to go through the flowpaths R11 and R12.

The gas flowing through the flow path R11 is injected into thewaste-containing cylinder body section 341 (see FIG. 6). In responsethereto, the waste-cylinder-use piston 342 is moved in the direction ofan arrow F1, i.e., in the Y-axis negative direction, and the waste tray343 is moved from the sixth position P6 to the fifth position P5 forstorage (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Accordingly, the mechanical valve 41physically opens itself.

The gas flowing through the flow path R12 is directed toward themechanical valve 41. This allows the gas to flow through the flow pathR2.

The gas injection by the control unit 7 is not specifically restricted,but may be automatically performed in the sample-setting-wait step S₁ bydetection of the sample tube 22 when it is set to the tube holder 21,for example. Alternatively, the control unit 7 may perform the gasinjection by the user manually operating the apparatus 1. Herein, thegas is not specifically restricted, but is exemplified by air.

With the waste tray 343 moving to the fifth position P5, the shellcylinder 31 is allowed to move toward the pressure shell 52 in thepressure-cylinder-moving-up step S₃ that will be described later.

2-3. Pressure-Cylinder-Moving-Up Step S₃

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the pressure-cylinder-moving-up stepS₃ in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating in whatstate the sample feeding apparatus 1 is in thepressure-cylinder-moving-up step S₃ in the sample feeding methodaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 8 and 9specifically are each a diagram illustrating the state in which both theup-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 and the pressure-cylinder-useleg section 313 are positioned at the second positions P21 and P22.

In the pressure-cylinder-moving-up step S₃ of FIG. 5, first of all, theflow of gas directed through the flow path R2 in the waste-tray-storagestep S₂ described above is split into two to go through the flow pathsR21 and R22 (see FIG. 8). The gas flowing through the flow path R21 isinjected into the up-and-down cylinder body section 321. Then in thisstep S₃, the up-and-down-cylinder-use piston 322 is moved in thedirection of an arrow F2, i.e., in the Z-axis positive direction, sothat the up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 is moved from thefirst position P12 to the second position P22 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).Accordingly, in this step S₃, the mechanical valve 42 opens itself sothat the gas in the flow path R22 is allowed to go through the flow pathR3 (see FIG. 8).

Also in this step S₃, the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 is alsomoved from the first position P11 to the second position P21 so that thesample tube 22 is sealed in the pressure shell 52.

Also in this step S₃, in response to the flow of gas in the flow pathR2, the air-operated valve 46 is opened, and the gas is injected intothe pressure shell 52 via the flow path R23 (arrow A2 of FIG. 8).

2-4. Support-arm-protrusion Step S₄

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the support-arm-protrusion step S₄ inthe sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what statethe sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the support-arm-protrusion step S₄in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 10 and 11 specifically are each a diagram illustratingthe state in which the support arm 333 is positioned at the fourthposition P4.

In the support-arm-protrusion step S₄ of FIG. 5, the flow of gasdirected into the flow path R3 in the pressure-cylinder-moving-up stepS₃ described above is split into two to go through the flow paths R31and R32 (see FIG. 10). The gas flowing through the flow path R31 isinjected into the support cylinder body section 331. Then in this stepS₄, the support-cylinder-use piston 332 is moved in the direction of anarrow F3, i.e., in the Y-axis positive direction, so that the supportarm 333 is moved from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4,and is protruded (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Accordingly, in this step S₄,the mechanical valve 43 opens itself so that the gas in the flow pathR32 is allowed to go through the flow path R33.

2-5. Sample-feeding Step S₅

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the sample-feeding step S₅ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what statethe sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the sample-feeding step S₅ in thesample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 12 and 13 specifically are each a diagram illustratingthe state in which the sample is directed to the micro-sized particlemeasurement apparatus 100 with pressure application.

In the sample-feeding step S₅ of FIG. 5, feeding of a sample is startedtoward the micro-sized particle measurement apparatus 100 (flowcytometer), for example (see FIG. 1 again). In this step S₅, first ofall, the gas directed into the flow path R33 in thesupport-arm-protrusion step S₄ described above is injected into thepressure cylinder body section 311 (see FIG. 12). In response thereto,both the pressure-cylinder-use piston 312 and the pressure-cylinder-useleg section 313 are moved to the side in the Z-axis negative directionof FIG. 13. Herein, with the sample feeding apparatus 1 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure-cylinder-use legsection 313 and the up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 in thestate of FIGS. 12 and 13 are assumed to be within the range of thesecond positions P21 and 22, respectively. With such positioning, thecoupling section 324 comes in contact with the support arm 333, and thesupport arm 333 supports the pressure cylinder 31. The pressure cylinder31 is thus allowed to apply pressure into the pressure shell 52 in thedirection of an arrow F4, i.e., in the Z-axis positive direction (seeFIGS. 12 and 13).

The gas passed through the flow path R23 is injected into the pressureshell 52. As such, the tube holder 21 is put under pressure by thepressure cylinder 31 in the pressure shell 52, and in the gas-tightstate, the sample drawn out from the nozzle 51 is fed to the micro-sizedparticle measurement apparatus 100 via the sample line 6.

As described above, for the sample feeding, the sample feeding apparatus1 moves up and down the sample tube by using both the up-and-downcylinder 32 for the up-and-down movement of the sample tube, and thepressure cylinder 31 for the pressure application thereto. Therefore,irrespective of the application of high pressure, the user may operatethe sample feeding apparatus 1 with no worry about getting his fingerscaught in the cylinder and others, damaging the sample tube, and causingbiological hazards, for example. That is, with the sample feedingapparatus 1, the user may perform sample feeding with safety and ease.

2-6. Pressure-Cylinder-Release Step S₆

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the pressure-cylinder-release step S₆in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what statethe sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the pressure-cylinder-release stepS₆ in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIGS. 14 and 15 specifically are each a diagramillustrating the state in which the support arm 333 is positioned at thethird position P3.

In the pressure-cylinder-release step S₆ of FIG. 5, the control unit 7directs the gas in the direction of an arrow A3 (see FIG. 14) via theelectromagnetic valve 40. The flow of gas is directed through the flowpath R4, and then is split into two to go through the flow paths R42 andR43.

In this step S₆, the gas flowing through the flow path R41 is injectedinto the support cylinder body section 331 (see FIG. 14). In responsethereto, the support-cylinder-use piston 332 is moved in the directionof an arrow F5, i.e., in the Y-axis negative direction, so that thesupport arm 333 is moved from the fourth position P4 to the thirdposition P3 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Accordingly, in this step S₆, themechanical valve 44 physically opens itself.

Also in this step S₆, the gas flowing through the flow path R42 isdirected toward the mechanical valve 44. Accordingly, in this step S₆,the gas in the flow path R42 is allowed to go through the flow path R5.

Also in this step S₆, the flow of gas flowing through the flow path R43is split into two to go through the flow paths R431 and R432. The gasflowing through the flow path R431 is injected into the pressurecylinder body section 311. Accordingly, both the pressure-cylinder-usepiston 312 and the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 are moved tothe side of the pressure feeding section 5. Herein, the pressurecylinder 313 is moved within the range of the second position P21.Therefore, in this step S₆, the pressure application by the pressurecylinder 31 is performed in the direction of an arrow F6, i.e., in theZ-axis negative direction, so that the pressure in the pressure shell 52by the pressure cylinder 31 is released (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

2-7. Pressure-Cylinder-Moving-Down Step S₇

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the pressure-cylinder-moving-down stepS₇ in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating in whatstate the sample feeding apparatus 1 is in thepressure-cylinder-moving-down step S₇ in the sample feeding methodaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 16 and 17specifically are each a diagram illustrating the state in which both theup-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 and the pressure-cylinder-useleg section 313 are positioned at the first positions P11 and P12.

In the pressure-cylinder-moving-down step S₇ of FIG. 5, the gas directedinto the flow path R5 in the pressure-cylinder-release step S₆ describedabove is injected into the up-and-down cylinder body section 321. Thenin this step S₇, the up-and-down-cylinder-use piston 322 is moved in thedirection of an arrow F7, i.e., in the Z-axis negative direction, sothat the up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 323 is moved from thesecond position P22 to the first position P11 (see FIGS. 16 and 17).Accordingly, in this step S₇, the mechanical valve 45 opens itself, andthe gas in the flow path R432 is allowed to flow through the flow pathR6.

In this step S₇, the pressure-cylinder-use leg section 313 is also movedfrom the second position P21 to the first position P11. This thus allowsthe sample tube 22 to be removed from the tube holder 21 after thesample feeding to the micro-sized particle measurement apparatus 100.

2-8. Waste-Tray-Protrusion Step S₈

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sequential structure ofthe sample feeding apparatus 1 in the waste-tray-protrusion step S₈ inthe sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating in what statethe sample feeding apparatus 1 is in the waste-tray-protrusion step S₈in the sample feeding method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 18 and 19 specifically are each a diagram illustratingthe state in which the waste tray 343 is positioned at the sixthposition P6.

In the waste-tray-protrusion step S₈ of FIG. 5, the gas passed throughthe flow path R6 in the pressure-cylinder-moving-down step S₇ describedabove is injected into the waste-containing cylinder body section 341.Then in this step S₈, the waste-cylinder-use piston 342 is moved in thedirection of an arrow F8, i.e., in the Y-axis positive direction, sothat the up-and-down-cylinder-use leg section 343 is moved from thefifth position P5 to the sixth position P6 (see FIGS. 18 and 19). Atthis time, with the waste tray 343 of the waste-containing cylinder 34being positioned at the sixth position P6, the waste tray 343 mayaccommodate any sample remained in the pressure shell 52 so that thesample remained in the pressure shell 52 is prevented from dropping tothe side of the tube holder 21, i.e., the side in the Z-axis negativedirection of FIG. 19. This thus allows the user to remove the sampletube 22 from the tube holder 21 with safety and ease without worryingabout the sample attaching to his hands and others.

In the sample-setting-wait step S₁, also with the waste tray 343 beingat the sixth position P6, if a cleaning agent is directed from thesample line 6 toward the waste tray 343, any sample remained in both thesample line 6 and the nozzle 51 may be removed while the cleaning agentbeing collected in the waste tray 343. This accordingly preventscontamination in the process of analysis, i.e., prevents a sample usedfor an analysis from getting in a different sample for another analysis.

As described above, the sample feeding apparatus 1 according to theembodiment of the present disclosure uses both the pressure cylinder 31and the up-and-down cylinder 32. Therefore, even if the pressurecylinder 31 in use is a large-sized air cylinder, for example, the forceto be applied to the pressure cylinder 31 is to be controlled so thatthe user is protected not to get his fingers caught in the cylinder andothers, or the sample tube is protected from damage. This thus ensuresthe safety during the sample feeding with pressure application.

Further, with the pressure cylinder 31 being supported by the supportarm 333 during sample feeding with pressure application, the samplefeeding is performed with more safety.

Still further, with the sample feeding apparatus 1, the control unit 7operates only when the gas is forwarded via the electromagnetic valve40, and the cylinders mainly operate under the physical control by themechanical valves 41 to 45. Accordingly, the user is allowed to use thesample feeding apparatus 1 without worrying about any possible abnormalconditions of the system therein.

Still further, when the user places the sample tube 22 to the tubeholder 21, and when the user removes the sample tube 22 from the tubeholder 21, the waste tray 343 collects any waste remained in thepressure shell 52. Accordingly, the user is allowed to use the apparatuswith safety without worrying about the waste attaching to his hands andothers.

The sample feeding apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be also in the following structures.

-   (1) A sample feeding apparatus, including:    -   a first cylinder configured to be mounted with a sample tube;    -   a second cylinder configured to move the first cylinder between        a first position and a second position, the first position being        for mounting of the sample tube, the second position being for        feeding of a sample in the sample tube; and    -   a sealing section configured to cover the sample tube, the        sample tube being mounted to the first cylinder being at the        second position, the first cylinder applying pressure to an        inner space of the sealing section at the second position.-   (2) The sample feeding apparatus according to (1), further including    -   a third cylinder configured to be mounted to support the first        cylinder in a state that the first cylinder is positioned at the        second position.-   (3) The sample feeding apparatus according to (2), in which    -   the third cylinder is configured to support the first cylinder        by moving from a third position to a fourth position, the third        position allowing the first cylinder to move between the first        position and the second position, the fourth position being on        an opposite side of the sealing section with respect to the        first cylinder.-   (4) The sample feeding apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),    further including    -   a fourth cylinder configured to be mounted to accommodate any of        the sample remained in the sealing section in a state that the        first cylinder is positioned at the first position.-   (5) The sample feeding apparatus according to (4), in which    -   the fourth cylinder is configured to accommodate the sample        remained in the sealing section by moving from a fifth position        to a sixth position, the fifth position allowing the first        cylinder to move between the first position and the second        position, the sixth position being on an insertion side of the        sample tube with respect to the sealing section.-   (6) The sample feeding apparatus according to (5), in which    -   each of the first cylinder, the second cylinder, the third        cylinder, and the fourth cylinder includes        -   a flow path that is configured to move gas for injection            into the cylinder, and        -   a valve that is configured to draw in and out the gas in the            other cylinders via the flow path based on an operation of            the cylinder.-   (7) The sample feeding apparatus according to (6), further including    -   a control unit configured to inject the gas into the fourth        cylinder, in which    -   the fourth cylinder includes        -   a first valve that is configured to physically open itself            in response to the fourth cylinder moving from the sixth            position to the fifth position by the injection of the gas            thereinto, and to allow the gas to be injected into the            second cylinder to move the second cylinder from the first            position to the second position.-   (8) The sample feeding apparatus according to (7), in which    -   the sealing section is configured to allow the injection of the        gas into the inner space thereof by the opening of the first        valve.-   (9) The sample feeding apparatus according to (7) or (8), in which    -   the second cylinder includes        -   a second valve that is configured to physically open itself            to allow the gas to be injected into the third cylinder in a            state that the second cylinder is positioned at the second            position, and to allow the third cylinder to move from the            third position to the fourth position.-   (10) The sample feeding apparatus according to (9), in which    -   the third cylinder includes        -   a third valve that is configured to physically open itself            to allow the gas to be injected into the first cylinder in a            state that the third cylinder is positioned at the fourth            position, and to allow the first cylinder to apply pressure            into the sealing section at the second position.-   (11) The sample feeding apparatus according to (10), in which    -   the control unit is configured to perform the injection of the        gas into the first cylinder and the third cylinder, and    -   the third cylinder includes        -   a fourth valve that is configured to physically open itself            in response to the third cylinder moving from the fourth            position to the third position by the injection of the gas            thereinto, and to allow the second cylinder to move from the            second position to the first position.-   (12) The sample feeding apparatus according to (11), in which    -   by the control unit injecting the gas into the first cylinder,        the pressure applied by the first cylinder into the sealing        section is released.-   (13) The sample feeding apparatus according to (12), in which    -   the second cylinder includes        -   a fifth valve that is configured to physically open itself            to allow the gas to be injected into the fourth cylinder in            a state that the second cylinder is positioned at the first            position, and to allow the fourth cylinder to move from the            fifth position to the sixth position.-   (14) The sample feeding apparatus according to any one of (1) to    (13), in which    -   the sealing section is attached with a sample line that is        configured to feed the sample in the sample tube to an outside.-   (15) A flow cytometer coupled with the sample feeding apparatus    according to any one of (1) to (14).-   (16) A sample feeding method for a sample feeding apparatus, the    method including:    -   moving a first cylinder that is mounted with a sample tube at a        first position to a second position at which a sealing section        covers over the first cylinder by using a second cylinder; and    -   applying pressure to an inner space of the sealing section by        the first cylinder.-   (17) The sample feeding method according to (16), further including    -   supporting, in a state that the first cylinder is positioned at        the second position, the first cylinder by moving a third        cylinder from a third position to a fourth position, the third        position allowing the first cylinder to move between the first        position and the second position, the fourth position being on        an opposite side of the sealing section with respect to the        first cylinder.-   (18) The sample feeding method according to (17), further including    -   using the second cylinder to move the first cylinder from the        second position to the first position.-   (19) The sample feeding method according to (18), further including    -   accommodating, in a state that the first cylinder is positioned        at the first position, any of the sample remained in the sealing        section by moving a fourth cylinder from a fifth position to a        sixth position, the fifth position allowing the first cylinder        to move between the first position and the second position, the        sixth position being on an insertion side of the sample tube        with respect to the sealing section.-   (20) The sample feeding method according to (18) or (19), further    including    -   starting an operation of each of the first cylinder, the second        cylinder, the third cylinder, and the fourth cylinder in        response to a gas flow via a flow path to the other cylinders by        opening of a valve based on the operation of each of the        cylinders.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A sample feeding apparatuscomprising: a frame; a sample tube unit including a base, a sample tubeholder supported by the base, and a sample tube including an opening,and that is supported by the sample tube holder; a first piston-cylinderapparatus coupled to the sample tube unit and configured to move thesample tube unit between a first position and a second position; asecond piston-cylinder apparatus that is coupled to the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus by a coupling section, and that is configuredto move both the sample tube unit and the first piston-cylinderapparatus between different positions; a housing coupled to the frameand including a housing opening, the housing including an inner spacethat can house at least portions of the sample tube holder and thesample tube; a control unit including a computer that is configured tocontrol at least one of the first piston-cylinder apparatus and thesecond piston-cylinder apparatus to move the sample tube unit betweendifferent positions relative to the housing, wherein the first positionof the sample tube unit corresponds to a position in which the sampletube and sample tube holder are not enclosed by the housing, and thesecond position of the sample tube unit corresponds to a position inwhich the sample tube and sample tube holder are enclosed by thehousing, and the base of the sample tube unit is configured to seal theopening of the housing as the sample tube unit is in the secondposition, and wherein the computer is configured to control the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus as the sample tube unit is in the secondposition such that the base of the sample tube unit is applied againstthe housing with an amount of pressure.
 2. The sample feeding apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a support arm and a thirdpiston-cylinder apparatus coupled to the support arm, the thirdpiston-cylinder apparatus configured to move the support arm between athird position and a fourth position, wherein the third piston-cylinderapparatus is coupled to the first piston-cylinder apparatus and thesecond piston-cylinder apparatus, wherein the support arm positioned atthe fourth position obstructs the sample tube unit from moving from thefirst position to the second position, and wherein the support armpositioned at the third position does not obstruct the sample tube unitfrom moving from the first position to the second position.
 3. Thesample feeding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a trayand a fourth piston-cylinder apparatus coupled to the tray, the fourthpiston-cylinder apparatus configured to move the tray between a fifthposition and a sixth position, wherein the tray is positioned below thehousing in the sixth position, and the tray is not positioned below thehousing in the fifth position.
 4. The sample feeding apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein: wherein in the fifth position, the tray does notobstruct the sample tube unit from moving between the first position andthe second position, and wherein in the sixth position, the trayobstructs the sample tube unit from moving between the first positionand the second position.
 5. The sample feeding apparatus according toclaim 4, further comprising: at least one position detector that isconfigured to detect at least one position for at least one of thefirst, second, third and fourth piston-cylinder apparatuses; and aplurality of gas flow paths that connect the first, second, third andfourth piston-cylinder apparatuses together, wherein the plurality ofconnected gas flow paths include a first valve, a second valve, a thirdvalve, a fourth valve, a fifth valve and an electromagnetic valve,wherein the control unit is configured to cause the electromagneticvalve to open or close, wherein each of the first valve, the secondvalve, the third valve and the fourth valve is a mechanical valve, andwherein the control unit is configured to cause one or more of thefirst, second, third and fourth valves to open or close based ondetected position information by the position detectors of at least oneof the second piston-cylinder apparatus, the sample tube unit, thesupport arm, and the tray.
 6. The sample feeding apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the first valveto open in response to detected position information that the tray is inthe fifth position, and wherein the first valve being open enables gasto flow in the plurality of connected gas flow paths to the secondpiston-cylinder apparatus.
 7. The sample feeding apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the first valve being open enables gas flow in the inthe plurality of connected gas flow paths to the inner space of thehousing.
 8. The sample feeding apparatus according to claim 7, whereinthe coupling section is movable by the second piston-cylinder apparatusbetween a seventh position where the coupled sample tube unit is in thefirst position and an eighth position where the coupled sample tube unitis in the second position, wherein the control unit is configured tocause the second valve to open in response to detected positioninformation that the second piston-cylinder apparatus has moved thecoupling section to the eighth position, and wherein the second valvebeing open enables gas flow in the plurality of connected gas flow pathsto the third piston-cylinder apparatus, and the third piston-cylinderapparatus is configured to move from the third position to the fourthposition in response to applied gas pressure from the plurality ofconnected gas flow paths.
 9. The sample feeding apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the third valveto open in response to detected position information that the thirdpiston-cylinder apparatus has moved the support arm to the fourthposition, and wherein the third valve being open enables gas flow in theplurality of connected gas flow paths to the first piston-cylinderapparatus to enable pressure application from the base of the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus to the housing as the first piston-cylinderapparatus is at the second position.
 10. The sample feeding apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to causegas to be injected into the first piston-cylinder apparatus and thethird piston-cylinder apparatus, wherein the control unit is configuredto cause the fourth valve to open in response to detected positioninformation that the support arm of the third piston-cylinder apparatushas moved to the third position, and wherein the fourth valve being openenables gas flow in the plurality of connected gas flow paths to thesecond piston-cylinder apparatus, and the coupling section is configuredto move from the eighth position to the seventh position in response togas pressure applied to the second piston-cylinder apparatus.
 11. Thesample feeding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein gas injectedinto the first piston-cylinder apparatus causes a release of thepressure application from the base of the first piston-cylinderapparatus to the housing.
 12. The sample feeding apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the fifthvalve to open in response to detected position information that thecoupling section has been moved from the eighth position to the seventhposition by the second piston-cylinder apparatus, and wherein the fifthvalve being open enables gas flow in the plurality of connected gas flowpaths to the fourth piston-cylinder apparatus, and the tray isconfigured to move from the fifth position to the sixth position inresponse to gas pressure applied to the fourth piston-cylinderapparatus.
 13. The sample feeding apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a tubular sample line attached to the housing, atleast a portion of the sample line housed in the inner space of thehousing.
 14. The sample feeding apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising two gas flow paths connected to the second piston-cylinderapparatus.
 15. An apparatus comprising a flow cytometer coupled to thesample feeding apparatus of claim
 14. 16. A sample feeding method for asample feeding apparatus including a frame, a sample tube unit thatincludes a base, a sample tube holder supported by the base, and asample tube including an opening, and that is supported by the sampletube holder, a first piston-cylinder apparatus coupled to the sampletube unit and configured to move the sample tube unit between differentpositions, a second piston-cylinder apparatus that is coupled to thefirst piston-cylinder apparatus by a coupling section, and that isconfigured to move both the sample tube unit and the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus between different positions, a housing coupledto the frame and including a housing opening, the housing including aninner space that can house at least portions of the sample tube holderand the sample tube, and a control unit including a computer that isconfigured to control at least one of the first piston-cylinderapparatus and the second piston-cylinder apparatus to move the sampletube unit between different positions relative to the housing, themethod comprising: providing a sample in the sample tube; moving thefirst piston-cylinder apparatus from a first position to a secondposition using the second piston-cylinder apparatus; forcing the base ofthe first piston-cylinder apparatus against the housing; and moving thesample through the sample tube to a location outside the sample feedingapparatus, wherein when the first piston cylinder apparatus is in thefirst position the sample tube unit is in a first position in which thesample tube and sample tube holder are not enclosed by the housing, andwhen the first piston cylinder apparatus is in the second position thesample tube unit is in a second position in which the sample tube andsample tube holder are enclosed by the housing, and the base of thesample tube unit is configured to seal the opening of the housing as thesample tube unit is in the second position.
 17. The sample feedingmethod according to claim 16, wherein the sample feeding apparatusfurther comprises a support arm and a third piston-cylinder apparatuscoupled to the support arm, the third piston-cylinder apparatusconfigured to move the support arm between a third position and a fourthposition, wherein the first piston-cylinder apparatus is positionedbelow the housing, wherein the support arm in the third position allowsthe first piston-cylinder apparatus to move between the first positionand the second position of the first piston-cylinder apparatus, andwherein the support arm in the fourth position prevents the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus from moving between the first position and thesecond position of the first piston-cylinder apparatus; and the methodfurther comprising supporting, in a state that the sample tube unit ispositioned at the second position of the sample tube unit, the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus by moving the support arm from the thirdposition to the fourth position.
 18. The sample feeding method accordingto claim 17, further comprising using the second piston-cylinderapparatus to move the first piston-cylinder apparatus from the secondposition to the first position of the first piston-cylinder apparatus.19. The sample feeding method according to claim 18, further comprisingmoving a fourth piston-cylinder apparatus from a fifth position to asixth position, the fifth position allowing the first piston-cylinderapparatus to move between the first position and the second position ofthe first piston-cylinder apparatus, the sixth position being one inwhich the fourth piston-cylinder apparatus is located below the housingand the first piston-cylinder apparatus is prevented from moving betweenthe first position and the second position of the first piston-cylinderapparatus.
 20. The sample feeding method according to claim 19, furthercomprising starting a moving operation of each of the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus, the second piston-cylinder apparatus, thethird piston-cylinder apparatus, and the fourth piston-cylinderapparatus in response to a gas flow via a plurality of gas flow pathsthat fluidly connects each of the first piston-cylinder apparatus, thesecond piston-cylinder apparatus, the third piston-cylinder apparatusand the fourth piston-cylinder apparatus by opening at least one of aplurality of valves based on the operation of each of the firstpiston-cylinder apparatus, the second piston-cylinder apparatus, thethird piston-cylinder apparatus and the fourth piston-cylinderapparatus.